La Salle Institute

La Salle Institute
File:LSIseal.jpg
Address
174 Williams Road Troy , (Rensselaer County) , New York 12180 United States
Coordinates	42°41′38″N 73°40′59″W
Information
Type	Private, College-prep
Motto	Signum Fidei (Sign of Faith)
Religious affiliation(s)	Roman Catholic (Lasallians)
Patron saint(s)	St. Jean Baptiste De LaSalle
Established	1850
Principal	Dr. Paul Fallon
Faculty	52
Grades	6-12
Gender	Boys
Enrollment	398 (2015-2016)
Student to teacher ratio	12:1
Color(s)	Blue and White
Athletics	14 interscholastic sports teams
Athletics conference	NYSPHSAA Section 2 – Big Ten (Class AA)
Sports	Football, Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, Hockey, Indoor/Outdoor Track and Field, Lacrosse, Wrestling, Cross Country, Tennis, Swimming, Bowling
Team name	"The Cadets"
Accreditation	Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Tuition	$10,000-$12,000
Athletic Director	Andrew Santandera
Website	www.lasalleinstitute.org

La Salle Institute (LSI) is an all-male private Catholic college preparatory school enrolling young men in grades six through twelve in North Greenbush, New York, USA. It is located within but operates independently of the Diocese of Albany. The current principal is Dr. Paul Fallon. Current tuition for the 2015-2016 school year is $10,000 (6), $11,100 (7), $11,130 (8), $12,975 (9-11), $13,015 (12). Current enrollment for the 2015-2015 school year is 398 students.

History

La Salle Institute was founded in 1850 and was originally located in downtown Troy. The school was first charted by the New York State Board of Regents in 1891. In the 1960s a modern facility was constructed on Williams Road near the boundary between the city of Troy and the town of North Greenbush. The new campus opened in September 1966. A substantial renovation and expansion was completed in 2001.

Academics and Athletics

Lasalle Institute has been recognized twice by the United States Department of Education as a School of Educational Excellence. La Salle Institute is recognized by the Middle States Association Commission on Secondary Schools. LaSalle Institute boasts a 100% College acceptance rate for students.

High School Overview

The High School program at La Salle Institute is designed to prepare young men for college, giving them the academic, spiritual and moral tools they need to succeed for the rest of their life.

Freshman year is a transitional year. For this reason, all students meet on a weekly basis to talk about transition issues, to build camaraderie and to make sure boys are comfortable among their peers. Activities are provided to help students get to know one another and to help them feel like family.

The High School academic program is structured to challenge and support all students. For students who need extra help in subjects like Math or English, LSI's resource center is available to provide extra attention and tutoring. Schedules may also be adjusted based on a child’s specific needs and to put more focus on problem areas. Student-centered academics are the core of the La Salle experience. Students participate in varied classroom instruction, using technology in new and creative ways. Students are taught to become critical thinkers and to hold an in-depth understanding of all material being presented. To encourage academic excellence, a diverse selection of honors and advanced placement classes are available, with select juniors and seniors also having the opportunity to enroll in courses at Hudson Valley Community College, one of the top community colleges in the nation which is right next to LaSalle to earn college credit while in High School. In 2009, La Salle initiated a program called the "HVCC Dual Credit Program" to provide greater opportunities for students to receive dual high school and college credit for more than 20 electives, as well as courses in computer science, physics and calculus.

Except for physics, these courses are offered in addition to the electives and calculus courses already offered by La Salle. For example, selected students will have the option to take calculus on campus at La Salle or to take the equivalent course at HVCC. The calculus credits for students earning an A or B grade at HVCC are accepted at many colleges, including RPI and Cornell.

The physics curriculum continually changes, with a new stress on alternate energy and nanoscience. HVCC is becoming a national educational leader in both areas. By taking physics at HVCC, our students are not only being provided with dual high school and college credit (8 credits), but are exposed to a physics curriculum that better prepares them for the future.

In order to accommodate the LaSalle program with HVCC, La Salle's schedule was adjusted to enable students to take courses at HVCC during either the first or last period of the school day.

Almost 80% of seniors take advantage of the "HVCC Dual Credit Program".

Middle School Overview

The Middle School program at La Salle Institute offers a “school within a school” experience, allowing younger students to receive personalized attention while still learning from their older peers. Students in the Middle School program at La Salle benefit from the structure and discipline that is part of a Lasallian education, with a high degree of caring concern blended in. They are offered more direction, more guidance and more support as they build the habits they need to propel them into high school and in life.

Each week, the students of the entire Middle School class meet to discuss their education and their own personal growth. They participate in student-led conversations related to developing proper study habits, how to introduce yourselves, the importance of dress, how to handle difficulties you encounter in life and how to be a good citizen in the world. Students participate in a special middle school leadership council to develop leadership among their peers, have a separate honors program and receive awards from their teachers for areas like most improved and best student.

Academically, middle school students benefit from a varied, integrated curriculum that sets the foundation for future academic success and instills confidence in their role as a student.

Athletics Overview

La Salle is classified as Class AA, the highest classification in New York State, and offers thirteen sports, with a total of 25 teams, competing with schools within Section 2 athletics. Our school has created a rich tradition of developing student athletes into becoming leaders on and off of the playing field. Both the Coaching Staff and student athletes take pride in La Salle's mission, and strive to become moral, responsible and productive members of their communities with a commitment to truth, honor and duty. The Athletic Department incorporates Christian values in their teaching and coaching philosophies to develop players who put their faith first in all that they do.

Varsity and JV Football

The football program has enjoyed a successful run, making the playoffs 12 times since 2000, with four sectional championships. La Salle runs a multiple offense, depending on talent year-to-year, and a 50 defense. At La Salle, coaches believe that character, hard work and discipline are the cornerstone of any football program, and every coach serves as a positive mentor to the boys in the program. This support primes La Salles players to succeed in all areas of life. Despite being a smaller school, La Salle Institute competes at the highest classification in the state, routinely playing schools with enrollments of 2000-plus students. Varsity football is coached by Al Rapp (head coach), Scott Roy (line coach), former NFL wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks and Houston Oilers, Gerald Washington (receivers coach), and Jared Blais (defensive backs coach). JV Football is coached by Gary Lauver (JV Head coach/ running back and linebacker coach for both JV and Varsity), Jon McClement (JV wide receivers coach), and JV line coaches Tim Maloney and Arthur Farrington.

Varsity Wrestling

La Salle Institute offers wrestling as a winter sport option at the Varsity level with matches and practices held December through February. The wrestling team travels throughout the state and sometimes the country to compete. LaSalle continually produces in a solid wrestling program that continually brings wrestlers to states to compete. The wrestling team is currently coach by Aaron Mondore.

Varsity, JV, and Freshman Basketball

The basketball program at La Salle Institute consists of ultra-competitive teams, playing at the highest level offered by New York State, and competing in the Section 2 Tournament at the end of the season. Players are able to join Modified, Freshman, JV and Varsity teams. Basketball season runs from November to late February. Tryouts are held for all levels, with expectations for players to meet academic, behavior and character standards to compete.

For those who wish to play on a more casual level, or want a fun introduction to the game, LaSalle offers Basketball Summer Camp every year to any boy entering grades 5 through 12 from July to August. Students get to interact with classmates as well as students from different grade levels. This can be especially helpful for a student who plans to join La Salle in the fall, and wants to meet classmates over the summer. Varsity basketball is coached by Steve Sgambelluri and assistant coaches, Matt DeFazio & Aaron Collington. JV basketball is coached by Lavar Holmes and Freshman basketball is coached by Steven Dole.

Varsity, JV and Modified Baseball

LaSalle's baseball season runs throughout April and May, with Modified, JV and Varsity teams. Tryouts are held in late March, and games are played at the local Devil Cat’s baseball field.

Since 2005, Cadets Baseball has been one of only two Class AA Schools with multiple Section 2 championships, and the only Big Ten school with a sectional championship since 2000. In 2014, LaSalle's Varsity team won the league with an 11-1 record.

LaSalle has had four recent graduates get selected in the Major League Baseball Draft since 2012, the most of any high school program in Section 2: David Roseboom '10 NY Mets-2014, JP Sportman '10 Oakland Athletics-2014, Will Remillard '10 Chicago Cubs-2013, Zach Remillard '12 Houston Astros-2012. The Varsity baseball team is coached by Brian Henkel, the JV baseball team is coached by Richard Hughto Jr, and the modified baseball team is coached by Tim Flanigan.

Varsity Hockey

The hockey team at La Salle Institute boasts a competitive program offered at the Varsity level, playing in the Capital District High School Hockey League (CDHSHL). Practice and home games are held right at the HVCC hockey rink next door to LaSalle, where the team is given use of their locker room facility all season. Hockey is a full-time commitment at La Salle, with practice and games held six days out of the week. LaSalle had a historic year in 2000, where the Cadets won the NYS Championship, and head coach Tim Flanigan won Coach of the Year.

Guy Hebert, goalie for the Anaheim Ducks, got his start with the La Salle hockey team. In his sophomore year at Hamilton College he was drafted by the IHL for the St. Louis Blues in 1987, and became the Mighty Ducks’ first pick in their Expansion Draft in 1993. He stayed with the Ducks for seven seasons, and in 2000, he became the first Duck to play 400 games. The Varsity Hockey team is coached by Tim Flanigan and assistant coaches, Tom Phibbs, Jay Cardish and Joe Evers

Varsity Lacrosse

The lacrosse team at La Salle Institute plays in the spring from early March through mid-May, and is offered at a Varsity, JV and modified level. The lacrosse team is coached by Dean Mancini.

Varsity, JV and Modified Soccer

The soccer team at La Salle Institute is focused on being one team with one shared goal. As a fall sport, the season runs from mid-August to late October. Player development begins at the Modified and Junior Varsity levels, which leads to a highly experienced and talented Varsity team. Players are expected to always perform at their highest level academically. While everyone on the team loves the game, La Salle is dedicated to putting “book before ball” to ensure student success on all levels. The Varsity Soccer program is coached by Matthew Michaud, the JV Soccer team is coached by Arnie Mandoza, and the modified soccer team is coached by Kyle Chamberlin.

Varsity, Freshman and Modified Outdoor and Indoor Track and Field

Starting in mid-November, the Indoor Track season runs through early March with Freshman and Varsity teams.

Track events contested include the sprints (55m-400m), hurdles, middle distances (600m, 800m, 1000m), and distances (1600m, 3200m). Field events contested include the high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault, shot put and weight throw.

La Salle belongs to the Tri-County Indoor Track League and competes locally at Hudson Valley Community College, Union College, RPI, Williams College and the University at Albany. The team also travels to invitationals in NYC at the Armory Track & Field Center on 168th St. in Manhattan, Providence, Dartmouth College and Yale University. In indoor track under head coach John Leonard the Indoor track program has won nine big 10 league titles, and finished second place another 4 times. Numerous La Salle athletes have qualified for the NYS Indoor Track Championship held every March at Cornell University.

Spring Track is an outside sport that continues after the Indoor Track season, beginning mid-March and running through early June. Unlike Indoor Track, there is a separate team for middle school boys against their age group, instead of competing with high school athletes.

Track events contested include sprints (100m-400m), hurdles, middle distances and distances. Field events contested include the high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault, shot put, discus, javelin and hammer throw.

The team competes locally and at some outside area invitationals including the Penn Relays in Philadelphia. For the past 15 years, with co-host CBA, the team has put on the CBA/La Salle Relays on the 2nd Saturday of April. Many local schools compete at this early-season meet.

Spring Track is an outside sport that continues after the Indoor Track season, beginning mid-March and running through early June.

Track events contested include sprints (100m-400m), hurdles, middle distances and distances. Field events contested include the high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault, shot put, discus, javelin and hammer throw.

The team competes locally and at some outside area invitationals including the Penn Relays in Philadelphia. For the past 15 years, with co-host CBA, the team has put on the CBA/La Salle Relays on the 2nd Saturday of April. Many local schools compete at this early-season meet.

Varsity, JV and Freshman Cross Country

Cross Country is a distance running sport with a season that stretches from mid-August through early November (Modified starts in September when school begins). Head Coach John Leonard has coached LaSalle cross country for more than 30 years, winning six Big 10 League titles, and finishing 2nd another six times.

Varsity Golf

The golf team at La Salle Institute is a small, close-knit group of 8 to 12 players competing at the Varsity level. Golf season runs from September through October. The team plays at Frear Park in Troy, a short drive from the school. In 2013, the team won the Big 10 tournament, and in 2012, they won Big 10 plus the league championship. Varsity Golf is coached by Tim Flanigan.

Varsity and JV Tennis

The tennis program at La Salle Institute strives to develop young players through the JV program and help them progress to the Varsity level. The sport runs from March to May, and is open to all students in grades 7 through 12. Tennis is more than a high school sport at La Salle, it’s a lifetime sport and passion. The team has enjoyed tremendous success over the past fifteen years, winning 10 Big Ten Titles, 1 Sectional Title and 2 sectional runner-ups. The Tennis team is coached by Todd Crandall.

Bowling

La Salle Institute offers Varsity-level bowling as a winter sport option, with a season lasting from mid-November to mid-March. The team bowls at lanes local to LaSalle, such as Uncle Sam Lanes in Troy, and travels to surrounding bowling alleys for away games. The Bowling team is coached by Art Hoffman.

Military

The LaSalle Army JROTC program has been an integral part of La Salle Institute since 1891 when the Cadet Battalion was first formed with 128 students. Today, the program is known as the Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) Program. The program continues to play a vital role in the high school educational process at LaSalle. It is designed to complement the efforts of the entire staff and faculty in motivating young men to become better students, citizens and members of society.The program is structured to support the La Salle mission of inspiring young men to become moral, responsible, and productive members of communities with a commitment to “Truth, Honor and Duty.” The JROTC Program at LaSalle is recognized as an "Honor Unit with Distinction".

The JROTC program does not propose to make soldiers of La Salle students, although LaSalle has produced many that have gone on to military colleges such as West Point, Norwich, The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and so on, but that is entirely their choice. Instead, of creating soldiers of the LaSalle students, the JROTC program at LaSalle is committed to building individual self-discipline, personal responsibility, pride in self and team, and respect for authority, especially when exercised by equals.

The goals of the JROTC program at LaSalle

• To nurture personal growth by continually emphasizing the ethics and principles that foster good citizenship and good leadership.
• To instill discipline by a daily routine of inspections and holding students accountable for their appearance and actions.
• To provide practical experience in leadership by entrusting students with leadership responsibilities and holding them accountable for their actions.

The aims of the JROTC program at LaSalle

• To maintain and enhance the appearance of the students and the reputation of the school by requiring students to properly wear the school uniform neatly and to act with courtesy and politeness when interacting with other students and the staff and faculty.
• To provide a realistic system of merits and demerits, which will allow all cadets, who wish to excel, the opportunity to achieve the highest rank available to members of their class.
• To achieve a high degree of student government in the conduct of the JROTC program. The JROTC activities are planned and directed by the students, with concurrence and guidance of the JROTC Instructors.

The JROTC instructors at LaSalle are, Lt. Col (Ret) Joseph Raczkowski, 1SG (Ret) Paul Peters and 1SG (Ret) Durvell Smith.

Band

The music department at LaSalle was run by John Russell until 2015, after the departure of John Russell, the music department was taken over by Kyle Chamberlin. There three major performing ensembles: The Cadet Blues Jazz Ensemble, the Symphonic Band, and the Middle School Band. Middle School Band is for students in grades 6-8. Symphonic Band is for students in grades 9-12 with the exception of advanced middle school students. The Cadet Blues Jazz Ensemble is for both high school students as well as middle school students who show advance skill in music. The Cadet Blues Jazz Ensemble have won awards at the New Hartford, Fonda, and Oneida Jazz Festivals. In past years they have also traveled to Berklee College of Musical High School Jazz Festival and participated in the Columbus Day Parade in New York City. La Salle annually holds their Christmas concert at the Troy Music Hall featuring all three bands.

Notable Awards

• 2003 Second Place at Berklee College of Music High School Jazz Festival, Boston, MA
• 2008 Gold Award at the Fonda-Fultonville Jazz Festival, Fonda, NY
• 2008 Gold Award at the Oneida Jazz Festival, Oneida, NY
• 2014 Gold Award at Fonda-Fultonville Jazz Festival, Fonda, NY
• 2014 Gold Award at the Oneida Jazz Festival, Oneida, NY
• 2014 Fifth Place at Berklee College of Music High School Jazz Festival, Boston, MA

Activities

• The McCormick and O'Donovan drill teams are the two La Salle Institute drill teams. Led by 1SG's Smith and Peters, together they perform both school duties as well as competitions around the state and country. They are noted by their red cords and usually are the highest ranking students. Every day before school, both drill teams practice their drill routines.
• The Color Guard are members of the student body who present the colors at sporting events, Masses and parades. Members are noted by their white cords.
• The Rifle Club members are recognizable by their tan cords. They meet at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute range.
• The Student Senate representatives are elected at the beginning of each year. There are senators representing grades seven-through-twelve. The moderator of the Student Senate is Mr. Jamie Hayes. The Student Senate runs fundraisers, intramural's and dances among other things at La Salle, and is very involved with service projects.
• The Drama Club at La Salle is run by Virginia Maffia-Tobler and puts on an annual performance in the spring. They have also had house style performances in past falls. Students in grades 9-12, along with girls from regional high schools have put on productions such as Spoon River Anthology, " "Harvey,""Dial M for Murder, and Sherlock Holmes and The Case of the Sign of Four Students who do not want to perform can still participate by being a member of the production crew which help with scenery, set-up, cleaning, curtain and lighting.
• St. Mary's School in Kenya La Salle Institute along with other Lasallian schools across the country support and fund the St. Mary's School in Nyeri, Kenya. LSI holds clothing drives and a magazine drive to support the school in Kenya. La Salle Institute is the largest contributor to the St. Mary's School out of all Lasallian schools that donate. All the money raised from yearly magazine drive in February goes to support the school. La Salle is the only school/group participating the Reading at Home Fund-raising Program that donates all the money to a charitable cause outside of the school/group. Last year over $7,000 was raised. LSI also collects new or gently used clothing with a La Salle imprint/design on it for the children at St. Mary's. This year more than 10 boxes of clothing were sent.

Notable alumni

The following is an incomplete list of notable La Salle Institute alumni:

• Dr. Joseph J. Bulmer: Nuclear engineer * William L. Carley (1930): Mayor of Troy, NY from 1984 to 1985.
• Robert D. Carlson, P.E.: Mayor of Watervliet, New York from 1996 until 2007.
• Pat M. Casale: New York State Assemblyman for the 108th Assembly District from 1992 until 2006.
• Dr. Peter J. Cayan (1947): President of SUNY Institute of Technology from 1982 until 2002; the school's library now bears his name. Currently he is a member of La Salle's Board of Trustees.
• Robert T. Coonrod (1962): President and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) from 1997 to 2005.
• James V. Coffey (1896): Appointed as a Justice for the New York State Supreme Court in 1925.
• Bishop Howard J. Hubbard (1956): Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany from 1977 to 2013.
• Guy Hebert: Hockey goalie, he played for 10 years in the National Hockey League and Team USA, including the 1997 NHL All-Star Game.
• Bishop Elias Manning (1956): Bishop of Valença, Brazil.
• Michael R. McNulty: Member of the United States House of Representatives from 1989 to 2009. Represented the 21st Congressional District of New York.
• Dr. Martin E. Sullivan: Director of the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution. Former Director of the New York State Museum.
• Scott Sicko (2005): former NFL Tight-end for the Dallas Cowboys.
• J.P. Sportman (2010): Outfielder for the Oakland Athletics in the MLB
• Will Remillard (2010): Catcher for the Chicago Cubs
• David Roseboom (2010): Pitcher for the New York Mets

See also

• List of Catholic schools in New York

External links

• Official La Salle Institute web site
• Brothers of the Christian Schools
• Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
• La Salle Institute Online Bookstore
• St. Mary's School in Kenya, Supported by La Salle Institute